Group Captain Brijendra Mohan Bali (8438) Flying (Pilot) is posted as the officer commanding of a fighter Reconnaissance Squadron since Sep 86.

He has over 3400 hrs of flying to his credit. He is graduate of Defence Service Staff College and has vast experience of staff and operational appointments. He had taken part in 1965 and 1971 indo-Pak conflict and had flown a number of Air Defence Close Support and Counter Air Operational missions.

To ensure his effectiveness in the Squadron, he converted himself onto the new type of aircraft and attained fully operational status within two months as against a normal time frame of six months. Through meticulous planning and personal involvement he raised the performance of his squadron to unprecedented levels not withstanding the constraints of manpower and equipment. During his tenure the Squadron had been tasked for maximum operational deployment.

During 1987-88, he personally led several photo reconnaissance and Elint Missions deep into operational areas with significant results. Gp Capt Bali and his Sqn undertook these missions with total disregard of the inherent risks and thus provided invaluable information for ensuring national security.

For his professionalism, exceptional qualities of keenness, determination and a very high degree of leadership displayed by him in the face of enemy, the President is pleased to award Vayu Sena Medal to GP Capt BM Bali.

Gp Capt Satinder Lal Sud had the honour of Commanding a prestigious Trisonic strategic reconnaissance Sqn from 23 Oct to 13 Jan 92.

On taking over as CO, he undertook the task of training pilots to ensure ops capabilities of the Sqn. He achieved this single handedly by conducting lectures and performing dual checks. He had four fully ops pilots available to him in about one and half months time.

He personally air tested all aircraft returned from Russia after MR and ensured quality control. He involved himself in technical matters and ensured that all lifed components were changed with Cat 'D' rotables on the ac going to Russia for MR thus increasing his bank of rotables and saving shipment charges.

For the Sqn detts, minimum requirement of transport support was two IL-76 ac which was reduced to one by removing inertial-nav planning equipment from the Pelong vehicle and installing the same on a trolley which could be loaded in an AN-32 ac.

Photo machine, an important equipment for strategic reconnaissance Sqn, was unserviceable for want of spare parts from Russia. He persistently explored the market for fabricating the parts indigenously. He succeeded in doing so and put the machine into fully serviceable condition.

For his exceptional devotion to duty and management skill of high order, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Group Captain Satinder Lal Sud.

Group Captain S Mukerji, SC (12925) F (P) was commissioned as a Fighter Pilot on 22 Jan 72. He has held the important appointments of Directing Staff at Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment and Defence Services Staff College, as well as Commanding Officer (CO) of a MiG 29 Squadron. He was awarded Shurya Chakra in 1981. He has more than 3500 hours of accident free flying to his credit.

Gp Capt S Mukerji was appointed the CO of a Squadron in May 94. During his tenure, Gp Capt Mukerji was personally responsible for successful completion of two important tasks assigned to his Squadron. The first task of Mid Life Extension programme of aircraft, entailed a task force consisting of a team of Russian Specialists and IAF technicians & officers. The most important task of air testing & proving the air worthiness of each aircraft after modifications, which is normally the purview of the Test Pilots, was solely left to him. The successful and timely completion of the programme was mainly due to the meticulous planning and supervision by Gp Capt Mukerji.

The second task of photographing the Total Solar Eclipse entailed close team work with scientists of the Udaipur Solar Observatory. Gp Capt Mukerji led the team in planning & execution of the task which demanded the need to fly the aircraft with great precision & accuracy as well as split second timing to capture the sun at the exact moment of Totality and was successfully executed.

For distinguished services of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Gp Capt Sumit Mukerji.